


cs 

Tt 



— GOURLEY 

^ GENEALOGY 







y 




Glass _C 

Book 



Copyright N° 






COPYRIGHT DKPOSIT 



Gourley Genealogy 




JAMES GOURLEY L808 



Genealogy of Samuel Gourley 
and his descendants, 

1784-1909 



Together with accounts of the families of Albert E. Gurley, Thomas 

B. Gourley, James Gourley, C. C. Lounsberry, James 

Gourley, Arthur Gourley, Thomas Gourley, Samuel B. 

Gourley, Joseph Gourley and George 

Gourley, and account of Gourley 

Re-union, 1908. 



BY 

C. T. Heydeckek 

Copyright 1!»09 Bv C. T. Heydecker 
Wafkegas, Illinois 



Price $1.00 









L 



AUG 5 t«09 



GOURLEY 




GURLEY 



"PROFUNDA CERNIT". 



May it be realized in whatever clime, in seeing clearly our duty to 
God, and to avoid danger. 

This book is dedicated as a souvenir to my beloved wife, Caroline A. 
Heydecker, a daughter of the late James Gourley. 




HOME OF ('. I. HEYDECKER, WAUKEGAN, II. 



PREFACE. 



In the preparation of this little book, entitled "Genealogy of Samuel 
Gourley and His Descendants." I have attempted to collect all the matter 
of general interest, together with such data as has been obtainable relating 
to said familv, from about the year 1784 down to and including the present 
time, giving the facts as were best known to the descendants, winch have 
been retained in this book in the original letters written by the relative-, 
and those who knew the general facts relating to the family. 

To this has been added the names, dates of birth, marriage- and 
deaths of all of the descendant-, so far as has been able to be traced by 
correspondence and interviews. 

The compiler desires to recognize and thank for courtesies extended 
in this re-earch Albert E. Gourley, James Gourley, Arthur Gourley, C. C. 
Lounsberrv. Thomas B. Gourley, Martha Gourley Gehlman, Francis A. 
Day, Samuel B. Gourley and Mary B. Crawford. 

In writing a work of even this small character, it required a large 
amount of patience and correspondence, which is amply repaid by the 
satisfaction that all have been ready and willing to lend a helping hand in 
satherins: these facts. It is hoped that this little volume will be of interest 
to the family and a mode of preserving the fact- and records therein set 
forth. If this is thereby accomplished, it will have answered its purpose 

( '. T. 1 [eydecker. 

Waukegan, Illinois. August 10, iqoq. 



SAMUEL G( )URLEY'S FAMILY. 

i. Samuel Gourley, 1). - ; d. at Pickaway Co., Ohio., about 

1820; 111. . 

2. Nancy Sibbet. at Philadelphia, I 'a.; d. [860, aged 89 years, at Mt. 

\ ernon, Iowa. 

Their children are : 

3. William; never married ; died about 1870. 

4. Samuel Sibbet ( 10). 

5. Nancy Sibbet; m. . Lawrence; no children. 

6. John ; never married ; died before be wa^ 30. 

7. James (30). 

8. Joseph ( 105 ). 

(). [saac ; never married ; dead. 
Four children died in infancy. 

SAMUEL SrBBET G< lURLEY'S FAMILY. 

10. Samuel Sibbet Gourley, b. Oct. 13. 1800: d. Dec. 22, 1838; m. 
Ian. 14, 1823. 

1 1. Elizabeth Robinson, b. Aug. 2j. [805; d. Sept. 27 '. F839. 

Their children are : 

12. Thomas B., died in infancy. 

13. Kelson R., b. Aug. 31, [827; d. Sept. 26, 1828. 

14. f lamiab Pauline | 28 I. 

15. Thomas Burrell, b. May 14. 1834. 

K). Alary Elizabeth, b. Dec. 19, 1837: d. Jan. 4. [838. 

Thomas P>. Gourley, nephew of lame.- Gourley, late of Spring 

field. 111., and son of Samuel S. Gourley. 

17. Thomas B. Gourley] b. Ma\ 14. [834; lives at Paso Robles, Cal. ; 

m. May 3. 1859. 

18. Althea Lillian Hinckley. 

Their children are: 

11 



ig. Clarence William, b. Jan. 28, [860. 

20. Alice Luella, b. Nov. 15. [862. 

21. Minnie Florence, b. Dec. 29, [864. 

22. Jennie' Eliza, 1). Jan. 31, 1866. 

23. Arthur Franklin, 6. Aug. 8, 1868. 

24. Charles Allen, b. Nov. 4. 1871. 

25. Addison Phelps, b. April 17. [873. 

26. Thomas Adelberf, b Nov. to, [874. 
jj. Nellie Marcia, 1). April 13. [878. 

Letter of Thomas B. Gourley, Part II. 

28. Hannah P. Gourlev, a daughter of Samuel S. Gourley; b. Sent. 14. 

[829; d. - -t-, 1S85: m. March 1. [848. 

29. Abram Haas; both arc dead: never had anv children: resided at 

Pekin, 111. 

JAMES G< >URLEY'S FAMILY. 
( Letter of Martha J. ( iehlman, Part 1 1. 1 

I In- family Bible, now with Mrs. Francis A. Day, Springfield, 111., 
d mtains the \< »11< >wing : 

30. lame- Gourley, son of Samuel Gourley and Nancy Sibbet, was 

horn in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Aug. 2. [808: d. .March 26. 
[874. 

31. Luc) Ann Poe, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Poe, was horn in 

Chatham Co., North Carolina, lime 11. [818; d. April 20, 
[863, 

Note. — Thomas Poe, a brother of Lucy Ann (Poe) Gourley, mar- 
ried Jane . who died. They had children: Elizabeth, Mar- 
garet and Lemuel, lie then married Rebecca Bond, and they had Emma; 
Olive, who married — Roberts, a minister, at St. Paul, Minn.: 
Frederick; Lemuel, married Lucy Ann Payne; their children are lame-. 
Thomas, Lemuel and Lucy and other- whose name- cannot he learned. 

James Poe, also a brother of Mrs. James Gourley, married (name 
of wife cannot be obtained). Their children are: Lemuel, who was killed 
at battle of Shiloh. Tenn.: Neoma, Cornelius and other- whose names 
can ni >t be obtained. One of the daughters married a Mr. Gill. 

Mr. lame- Gourley, an old citizen of this city, breathed his last on" 
March _><>. 1^74. about 10 a. m. 

Mr. Gourley was confined to hi- room just three weeks with pneu- 
monia, suffering greal pain during the greater part of his sickness. Mr. 
Gourley was 66 years of age; was well and favorably known in this city. 

12 



where he had resided for many years. As a business man. in his younger 
days, he was energetic, prompt and reliable, lie tilled the office of con- 
stable, deputy sheriff and deputy United Stales marshal to the satisfac- 
tion of those having harness with him. lie was for a number of years 
the tyler of a body of .Masons, of which he was a member, and in all the 
relations of life lie was known as the possessor of a kindly heart, ever 
ready to serve his friends, and affectionately attached to his large family 
of children and grandchildren. He was strictly honest in his dealings 
and charitable in his judgment of the acts of his fellowmen. Peace to his 
ashes and sympathy for liis children in the loss of a father that was always 
near in affliction and very indulgent. — Springfield Monitor. 

31a. lames Gourley, son of Samuel Gourley ; b. Aug. 2, 1808. at West- 
moreland Co., Penn. : d. March 26, 1874. and buried at Spring- 
held, 111.: m. Feb. 27, 1837. 

31b. Lucy Ann Poe. of Chatham Co.. North Carolina; b. June 11, 1818; 
' d. April 20. 1863, and buried at Springfield, 111. 

Children : 
31c. Martha Jane ( 41 ). 
^2. William Henry Harrison (50). 
t,^. Charles Sibbet (56) . 
34. Francis Ann 1 62 ). 
^. Albert Franklin (76). 
30. Mary Louise ( 85 ).' 
7,j. Caroline Alice (87). 

38. James Thomas ( 93 ) . 

39. Ada Emma Dora I coo). 

40. Mayble Clark < 107 >. 

41. Martha Jane Gourley, daughter of James Gourley; b. Nov. 29, 

1S37: resides at Springfield, 111.; m. Sept". 24, [866; 

42. Ernest F. Gehlman, b. April 28, 1827; d. Ma\ 25, [898; buried at 

Springfield, Ilk 

Children : 

43. Frederick- I). Jan. 15. [868, at Springfield, Ilk 

44. Alice E. (48). 

-. 45. Francis Taylor, h. ( >ct. 10. 1871, at Springfield, Ilk 

46. Ernest I iourley, b. < >ct. 31. 1S74. at Springfield, Ilk 

47. Lonis Walker (49). 



13 



48. Alice E. Gehlman, daughter of Martha J. Gourley; b. Xnv. 29, 

[869 : 111. ' let. 26. 1904. 

48a. Eugene E. Bone, b. Jan. 12. 1867. Resides at Springfield, 111. 

Children : 
48b. Robert Gehlman, b. June 2. [906. 
48c. Francis Eugenia, 1). May 21, [908. 

Note. — Eugene E. Bone was Grand Chancellor Commander of the 
Order of Knights of Pythiasofthe State of [llinois for the year [908-1909. 

49. Louis Walker Gehlman, son of Martha J. Gourley; 1). March. 28, 

1877 ; 111. June 1 1 . [902. 

49a. Lillian E. Wood, b. March 9, 1SS1. Resides at Springfield, 111. 

Children : 
49b. Louis Wood, li. March 7. [904. 
49c. Margarite Lucile, b. Sept. 3, [905. 
49d. Leonard Wood, b. Aug. 28, [907. 

50. William Henry Harrison Gourley, son of fames Gourley ; b. March 

25, 1840: deputy naval officer, New York Citv; m. Sept. }. 
[863. 

51. Ella Sutherland, b. Dec. 28, [841, a daughter of Judge James 

Sutherland, Jr., of New York City. 

Child: 

52. Blanche ( 53 1. 

53. Blanche Gourley, daughter of William Henry Harrison Gourley; 

b. June [6, [868 ; resides at Detroit, Mich. ; m. — — . [891. 

54. John F. Richartz. 
Child: 

55. Ruth Dorothy, b. April 18, [892; d. . 

Divorced; second marriage i [90). 

55a. Franklin Trapp. 

Says the August 19 issue of the Republican Xcws, a journal pub- 
lished in New Y< irk City : 

"There is no officer connected with the customs service who has a 
better knowledge of the laws and requirements ^i that service than Harri- 
son \\ . Gourley, special deputy naval officer. He is one of the authori- 
ties on the complex questions constantly arising. Mr. Gourley has passed 
through nearly ever} grade of naval office work, thus eminently fitting 
him for the responsible position he now occupies. 

1 1 



"Mr. Gourley was born in Springfield, 111., and studied law there. 
He was originally appointed t© the naval office as a personal appointment 
of Abraham Lincoln in [86l, and is now a special deputy naval officer. 
A courteous, kindly gentleman in personal and business life, but strictly 
business where business is involved." 

50. Charles Sibbet Gourley, son of James Gourley; b. \k-c. 3, [842; 
d \u<>- 22 [884; buried at function, Oregon ; m. ■ -. 

^j. Mary Stewart, b. - -; d. Aug. 6, [883; buried at Portland, 

( )regon. 

Children : 
58. Ada. 
^(). Minnie M. 
60. < leorge. 
01. James. 

No trace can be obtained of this branch of the family. 

62. Francis Ann Gourley, daughter of James Gourley; b. Feb. 14. 

1844: resides at Springfield, 111.: m. March 1. [864. 

63. Nathan ( iillman. 
Children : 

64. Charles I [arrison (67). 

65. Albert Franklin 171). 

Divorced: second marriage Jan. 7. [897. 

f 

66. Horatio A. Day. b. Xov. 2~ ? . 18—; reside- at Springfield, 111. 

No children. 

0- Charles Harrison (iillman. son of Francis Ann Gourley; b. I >ct. 23, 
[864; d. April 6, [903; buried at Freelove, Pa.; m. May 23, 
1897.' 

68. Myrtle A. Braden, b. - -; resides at Parkfershurg, W. Va. 

( Children : 

69. William Gourley, b. Sept. 25, [899. 

Mary Francis, b. March [8, [901. 

Albert Franklin Cillman. son of Francis A. Gourley; b. Nov. 13. 
[867 : m. . 



70. 



7i 



72. 



/o- 



Celia J. Cantrall, b. Dec. [8, [871. 

Children : 

1 iarrv A. 1 75a 1. 



74- Maybel L. i 75c 1. 

j- ? . Blanche I .. b. Jul) 2, [892 

75a. Harry A. Gillman, daughter of Albert Franklin Gillman; 1). June 
[8, [887; m. , [908. 

75b. . 



y^c Mayble L. Gillman, daughter of Albert Franklin Gillman; 1>. April 
25, [890; m. . 

75 d. . 



-1 >. Albert Franklin Gourley, son of James Gourley; b. ' >ct. _><;. [846; 
resides at Springfield, 111.: m. May 31, [871. 

jj. Jennett Craig, 1). July 1 1. [848. 

Children : 

78. Roy J. (Si 1. 

79. Vrncent C., 1). Sept. [6, [884. 

80. Louis Hill, 1). ( >ct. 17. 1 S8 M . 

81. Roy J. Gourley, son of Albert Franklin Gourley; b. Feb. 6, 1874: 

resides at Springfield, 111.: m. June 10. [896. 

82. Mary Ethel Beroley, b. Pec. 21, [876. 
Children : 

83. Ethel Fern, b. Dee. 17. 1807. 

84. Roy Clifford, b. Feb. 17. [902. 

85. Mary Louisa Gourley. daughter of James Gourley; 1>. Feb. 14. 

1841;; (1. Sept. 17. 1875 : buried at Barry, 111.: m. June u. 1873. 

86. E. J. Hurt. 1). : resides at Barry, 111. 

Child: 

1 »aby, died \\ hen a few da) s 1 »ld. 

87. Caroline Alice Gourley, daughter of James Gourley; b. Jan. 25, 

[851 : resides at Waukegan, 111.: m. April 18. 1875. 

ss. Christian Townsend Heydecker, b. Sept. 4. 184(1; resides at Wau- 
kegan, 111. 
Children : 

89. Coral T.. h. Feb. 21, [880. 

90. Nina Louisa, b. Dec. i_\ 1883: <1. ( >c*. 23, 1884. 

i)i. Bessie Irene, h. March [6, [886. 

92. Alice lunina. b. June 2. [888. 

16 



C. T. Heydecker is a descendant of Henry Townsend, of the Town- 
send brothers, who were driven from Boston, Mass., as Quakers, and. 
with others, made the settlement at Oyster Bay, Long Island, N. Y., and 
we here produce the family coat of arms of the Townsend and Heydecker 
ancestors : 



*J V T& *kP- 

*■ • ;■ f®H&t ■■ ■- 

;> - • -. ■ $ 



-'-•■*' j^'j 

£ 6 

.""Kfi 




C. T. Heydecker was state's attorney for his county, being elected 
three times, and held many positions of honor in the fraternal societies 
of which he is a member. 




93. James Thomas Gourley, son of James Gourley; b. Jan. 18, 1853: 

resides at Springfield, 111.; m. Dec. 5, 1878. 

94. Anna M. Rubly : b. March 18, 1858. 

17 



Children : 
95. Harrison C, b. June 8, [879; d. Aug. 22. [879. 
1 ,1 1. Louise ! 99a 1. 

97. George Wood, 1). Sept. 23, 1883. 

98. James Thomas, 1). Jan. 23, [891. 

99. Samuel Rubly, 1>. June- 25. [898. 

99a. Louise Gourley, daughter of James T. Gourley ; b. Sept. 26, [88i : 
111. Sept. 2. 11)03. 

99b. Millard Lobdell, 1). July 9, 1.879; resides at Springfield, 111. 

(. Children : 

• mi'. Anna Louise, 1). Aug. 25. I9°5- 

99c!. Charles Jerome, 1). Jan. 27, [908. 

100. \<la Emma Dora Gourley, daughter of James Gourley; b. lei). 27. 

[855; resides at Waukegan, 111.: m. Dee. 24. 1874. 

k,i. George S. Gehiman, b. April 21, [853; d. Feb. 1. [905; buried at 
Waukegan, 111. 

( hildren : 

[02. Lynn Severs, 1'. Sept. 14. [875; d. < >ct. 6, [876. 

[03. Albert Jame- 1 105 ). 

[04. Georgianna, b. Sept. [8, [^79, at Denver. Col,.. 

[05. Albert James Gehiman, -on of Ada Emma Dora Gourley; b. Dee. 
I (,1876; resides at Chicago, lib: m. Jul) 6, [908. 

[06. Anna Ring, b. \~OV. 6, [88l. 

i,»- Marble Clark Gourley, daughter of James Gourley; b. Nov. 28, 
[857; (1. March 5, [887; buried at Springfield, lib: m. Nov. 
30, 1880. 

[08. \\ ilbur \\ . Jilson, b. . 

( Children : 

low. I X3U1S \ .. b. Jan. 4. 1SS2. 

1 10. Ella Viola (11-1). 

,11. Ella V. Jilson. daugnter of Mayble Clark Gourley; b. Dee. 2". 
[883 : in. June 28, [905. 

1 ,_>. Roy |. Mason, b. June 2;,. [878; resides in Chicago, 111. 

Child: 
1 [3. Kenneth Wilbur, b. July 1. 1906. 

is 



TART II. 

The following letters contain much of the family history obtainable, 
relating" to the branches of the Gouffey family in the United States: 

Allien E. Gurley, of Willimantic; Conn., lias recently published "The History 
and Genealogy of the Gurley Family," from which we extract the following as 
being of interest to this brancb of the family: 

"The Gurley motto is "Profunda Cernit' — .May it be realized in whatever clime. 
in seeing clearly our duty to God, and to avoid danger. 

"Part First contains a very interesting account of our first ancestor of which 
the author of this history has been able to find any record of. He is Ingelram de 
( .urle\ . who accompanied William the Lion from Xormandy. France, to Scotland 
in the year 1174. and for his sage counsels and good advice King William gave him 
a tract of land in Kincraig, in Fifeshire, which. I believe, is possessed by the name 
to this day." 

Xoti:. — Webster's International Dictionary. 1902. page 2077. says, under date 
of 1174. "William the Lion. King of Scotland, is taken prisoner by the English; 
he acknowledged the suzerainty of Henry IT." — C. T. 11. 

In speaking of their religious convictions, he says: 

"1 find one who defied (in Scotland) the power of the Pope of Rome — that 
he had any power over the soul — but for this and the pamphlets he had secretly 
printed and circulated he had to flee Scotland, and went to England, but the king 
being a Catholic, he soon had to leave England, and went to Canada, where he 
remained for three years, and then returned to England, where he thrashed a man 
one day in Parliament for his abusive language to him; and for this thrashing he 
gave this member of Parliament he was put in prison. Hut. nevertheless, he always 
denied the power of the Pope of Rome to save or condemn the soul of man. This is 
the only account of any Gurley that 1 find that was ever arrested on the other- side 
of the Atlantic ocean, and only one in the United States, and that an old soldier 
who was arrested for imbibing too much whisky and placed in the lockup over 
night and fined the next morning. 

"I find that no Gurley in the United States at the present time that is either 
engaged in the manufacture or the sale of any intoxicating drink of any kind, and 
but very few that use it in any form. 

"And for one, 1 am proud of the name of Gurley, and believe all should be 
T have made special inquiry in relation to temperance, character and religious quali- 
fications relative to our name, and the same applies to the name Gpurley and 
Gourlay.'' 

In a letter to Mr. C. C. Lounsberry, Marshalltown, Iowa, he says: I have 
copied off a few extracts which may be interesting to you. and 1 have a few 
more of a similar character. Just how far you design to earn your work I do 
not as yet fully understand. If you simply wish to trace back the line of Goureys 
to which your mother is connected, or a general work for printing. However, that 
may be. you have started right for cither — to get all the information you can and 
then look across the water for the balance. 

It looks to me now from what you state to me in your letters, that if you 
design to carry your undertaking to a complete success that after you had obtained 
all tlie information you could on this side that some one would have to cross to 
the other side and search the records there. The records in Edinburgh. Scotland, 
are kept in the best of style and presume they are about the same in Ireland. 

After the Gourlays first settled in Kincraig, Fifeshire. there was one who 
crossed over and settled in the north part of Ireland, and afterwards I learn others 
went to Ireland, but the larger part of the Gourlay people remained in Scotland 
where there are quite a number of them at the present time. A few went to 
England. Also there is a branch which came to this country about 1675 and settled 
South, and if you look*in the P. O. directory, you will find several P. O. by the 

19 



nam. of Gurlav. Gurley, Madison Co., Alabama; Gurley, Marion ( o., Ohio^Gurley 
H™y Co S C. ; Gurley, Falls Co., Pexas; Gurley's Creek, Jefferson Co., Ala., and 
Gurleyville, Tolland Co., Conn, (my native town) 1 have- spent some six years 
of my life in traveling in the U. S. and been on the borders of Canada, and been 
in Mexico twice, lived twice in your state. 

If you should conclude to want to have the records of. Scotland or Ireland 
looked uo in relation to the Gourlay history with the intention of i 
book gives the history of those living in Scotland and Ireland so as to connect 
; ,, those on this side 1 would he pleased to know about it. 1 am carrying on 

h w k am no, engaged in wholly at my own expense, hut to visit Scotland and 
TrekTnd to search the records there 1 should want my expenses paid mostly h> 
oners I vou s hou l d desire anything of this kind you perhaps might ge others 

to ass st in paying for looking up these records, but 1 leave the matter with you. 
Extract from Burke's History of the Commoners. In notice of. the family of 

-,,,n- ah Ian. Kathaniel Spens of Lathallan was restored heir to his father 

m 1^2 He married a daughter of Sir Thomas Gourlay oj Kincraig and had a 

son and successor Thomas Spens of Lathallan who married his cousin Margaret 

Gourlav grandchild of Sir Thomas Gourlay of Kincraig, and had two sons. 

"Profunda Cernit"' is the Gurley motto. "May it be realized in whatever clime, 

in seeing clearly our duty to God and to avoid danger. 

Extract from Burked history of the Commoners, Vol 4. In notice o tin 

f-nniK o Tavlor of Pennington Col. Philip Van Cortlandt who died Maj 1st 
luhad a numerous family His daughter Catharine Van CorthHidt twin with 

Mrs. Taylor, m?rr°ed Dr. Wilham Gourlay, of Kincraig, Scotland, and of Maderia. 

and had issue. 

'nemafriedlX! Sttne, Col. in the British army and Brigadier-General in 
th e Prtu^ese army during the Peninsular war under the Duke of Wellington. 
TVum; lrul issue lohii Eliza, Susan. Anna. Maria. 

Odier chUdren of Dr William Gourlay, of Kincraig, Scotland, were: Eliza; 

Utner cnuaren oi i . rVm<»1n« R \" bv whom she had no issue 

Catharine, married 1st Capt. R. Douglas. K. A., dj 

Ger Cof Philip Van Cortlandt. of America, married Catharine, daughter of Dr. Wil- 
, ef , U^inVhhn three daughters; John Gourlay married one of them, and got with 
rympl.^Barone" Edinburg 1705. Preface 3 pages ; 78 and 79. Speakmg o the 

Knights. 

THOMAS B. GOURLAY. ,,,,,_,„ Rables , Cal., December 16, 1896, 

r r Lounsberry Marshalltown, Iowa 

Dear Sir Your favor of November 8th is received. I will cheerfully give you 

from Grandma Gourley. My grandparents on , .it h< , - - 
Robins^ Hn bhfo. They had five children, three girls and two boys. 



20 



The two eldest and the youngest died young. My sister died at Pekin, 111., 
some years ago, was married to Abram Haas, but left no children. This leaves 
me alone of my father's family. My parents moved to Wapello, Louis Co., Iowa, 
in 1837. He built the first house in that town. He and mother and my yotmge.sl 
sister died at that place in 1839. Nancy Lorance left no children. James (Airs. 
Geblman's father), left a large family of which she can better inform you than I. 
Joseph left four daughters and two sons who live in different parts of this state. 
Three of the girls are married. 

William. John and Isaac, also Grandma, died on the homestead in Singen 
Grove, Linn Co., Iowa. Bertram, Grandma, died in 1860, the sons several years 
previously. 1 came to this state in 1859. Uncle Joe and Aunt Nancy came to 
California in 1864 and died some twelve years ago. I was married in .Marion, 
Linn Co., Iowa, in 1859, to Miss Altea L. Hinkley and started to this state in a 
few days and have since resided here. We have five sons and four daughters, all 
grown. One son and two daughters married, all living in this state. Have heard 
of Gourleys in two different localities in this state Inn have not seen any of them. 

With regards, 1 am. Yours truly, 

T. B. GOURLEY, 



2926 Lorena St.. Berkeley, Cai... Oct. 2. 1904. 

.AJk. C. T. Heydecker, Waukegan, 111. 
Dear Sir : 

Several months since you wrote me for information of Uncle Joseph Gourley's 
family. 1 was not at that time possessed of the desired information and did not 
succeed in obtaining it by writing. 

Later I paid a visit to Guerenville, Sonoma Co., Cal., and send you the family 
history as I was able to collect it. 

Joseph Gourley was born in Pennsylvania. August 12th, 1812. Alary Jane 
Galbraith, his wife, born in Ohio. Sept. 10th. 1828. They were married in Illi- 
nois, May 3rd, 1840? Moved to Linn Co., Iowa, soon after. Came to California 
overland in 1864 and settled near Guerenville. Joseph Gourley died at same place, 
August 31st, 1873. Mary Jane, his wife, died at same place. January 9th, 1880. 
Their family consisted of five daughters and two sons, all at present living in this 
state, excepting the eldest, Alice, who died in Iowa, October 10th. 1846. 

record of births. 

.Mice was born April 3rd, 1842; Lida Ann Gourley was born August 15th. 
1844; Sarah Alice was born March 6th, 1847: Samuel Sibbet was born March 
6th, 1849: Ina Jane was born January 13th. 1855; Thomas Burrell was born January 
23rd, 185S ; Minnie Ida was born January 20th, 1861. They were all born m Linn 
Co., Iowa. 

Lida Ann Gourley and Oliver Wescott were married near Guerneville, May 
2nd, 1866. They had four sons and one daughter. Two sons, George and Frederick 
are dead. Two, Frank and Benjamine are living and unmarried. The daughter, 
Mary, married James Banks and has three suns and two daughter-, all living. 

Sarah Alice Gourley and Charles B. Foster were married May 1st, 1867. Foster 
was drowned February 8th. 1S7S. They had three sons and two daughter-. Two 
sons are dead, both daughters living and married. 

Sarah Foster married a few years after Foster's death to Abraham Sterritt. 
in San Joaquin Co.. Cal. Live at present near Reedley, Fresno Co., Cal. They 
had three sons and two daughters. One -on and one daughter are dead. Cannot 
give names of children, nor dates of births or deaths. 

Minnie Ida Gourley and Fredrick Ellison wire married near Guerneville, \u 
gust' 17th, 1881. Ellison died in sanitarium at San Francisco, March 12th. 1J399 
Seven daughters were born to them, including one pair of twin-. Horn in follow- 
ing order: Georgie, Bessie, Grace twin. Lida. Ina and Geraldine. The eldest 
daughter married a Air. Dillon, November 14th, 1901. Died August 31st, 1903, at 
Cazadero, Sonoma Co., Cal. 

21 



Am sorry I could not send the information sooner and fear it will lie too 
late to be of service to you. Have had poor health for several years. If anything 
additional i- needed will be pleased to do all I can to supply it. 

Hoping this will find you and yours in good health and prosperity I am. with 
regards, Yours very truly, 

T. H. < nil'KI HY. 



JAMES G( >URLEY. 

105 Walnut St., Springfield, lu ... Oct. 31, IS 
Mr. C. C. Louxsberry, 

My Dear Friend; Yours of October 12th was brought to me by one of my 
brothers, thinking as I was the eldesl of our family 1 world know more about 
what you wish than either of them. I was the eldest of ten children. 1 recall very 
little but have often thought since my father died I wish 1 had had him write 
down for u^ his early life. 1 know lie was one of the younger sons of his parents 
and know they had ten sons and one daughter, Nancy, the eldest. My father's 
parents lived in Westmoreland Count). Pa., emigrated to Ohio, near Circleville, and 
■entered land there— my grandfather did. Samuel married there. The family then 
moved to Linn Co., Iowa, near Mt. Vernon. 

The son Samuel moved to Peoria, 111. My father came to this state with a 
brother-in-law of his brother, Samuel, and stayed on a farm with them for a u> od 
while near Decatur, lie had previously learned the shoemaker's trade from his 
brother Samuel. Me walked from Decatur here, put up at the largest hotel then 
lure and obtained work, made friends and always lived here, and to the time of his 
death used to ~a\ he had as boy and man been in many places hut always -aid Spring- 
field was the place for him. .Mr. Lincoln was our next neighbor for many years. Then 
he was ehcled. My father congratulated him. Me said, "Jim you have not asked me 
tor anything but I cannot forget the many kindnesses m\ family have had at your 
family's hands. What would you like"-" Me replied, "nothing for me hut if you 
would give Harrison (my eldest brother) a lift. I'd be glad." Soon after he left, 
my brother was sent for from the Marine office in \ew York t" report for duty. 
Me entered there and has been promoted from place to place until now for about 
twenty years he has been chief clerk, (Now Deputy Naval Officer in New Y.>rk 
City, i The next brother, Charles Sibbet Gourley, learned the jeweler's trade and 
i to Portland, Oregon, married a Mis- Mary Stewart. The\ both are dead. 
Left two girls and two boys. The next girl Frances, was married to Nathan Gill- 
man, is a widow with two boys. The next was Louise who married Elisha Hurt. 
She died in Barry, 111. Albert F. Gourley and James, jewelers, both married in 
Springfield Albert has three hoys. James three boys and one girl. Caroline mar- 
ried C. T. Heydecker, of Waukegan, 111., has three children- one boj anil two girls. 
Mabel married \\ . Jilson, is dead, left two children, boy Louis, daughter Ella. 1 
have five children, four boys and one girl. I do not think my father evei 

saw hi grandparents. From the family Bible I find this- James Gourley, son of 
Samuel and Nancy Sibbet Gourley, born K.ug. -'ml. 1808, in Westmoreland Co., 
Pa. So you see his father's name was Samuel and his mother's name Nancy, Sibbet 
being her maiden name. During the war a cousin ^>i my father who was called to 
the bedside of a son who was sjek at Camp Butler visited us Me and m\ father 
talked of their families, lie had prepared a tree of the McCann's his father's 
famil) and was then looking up his mother's family, Sibbett said he would send 
copy when done. Me did so hut we only kept it a few days and in; 
father instead as I wished him to A^, make a copy, could not wait he was so 
anxious his mother, sister and Uncle William and his brother Samuel's son who 
lived there should see ii and send it hack. They said they never gol it and that I 
Suppose was lost, | wrote to Cousin McCann and instead of sending me another 
copy of the Sibbetl family he sent that of the McCann, which only touches the 
Couriers where his father married my grandmother's sister. The Uncle Samuel 
I spoke of moved from Peoria to Wisconsin. Me ami his wife died soon after 
each other and mj father at the request of his brother expected to take charge of 
the son Thomas, and the wife's sister wanted the girl Hannah. Father went in a 
agon from Springfield to Wisconsin, came home by Linn Co., Iowa, to see his 
mother, sister and brothers. Grandmother and Aunt Nancy would not hear of 



father's bringing him away from them. The sister Hannah came to us for a visit, 
then went to her aunt, Mrs. Samuel Allen in Pekin. Thomas several times visited 
her and us. Hannah married Mr. Ahram Haas, died several years ago, had always 
lived in Pekin. She visited grandmother and Aunt Xancy in l.inn Co., Iowa, and 
talked about the family and knew more than [. She often said Aunt Nancy said 
all of the Gourleys came from the same "stock." and though none had made much 
noise in the world, all were respectable and had as clean a record as any familj 
living. Thomas who grew up with Uncle William. Grandmother and Aunt Xancy. 
I feel sure can tell yon a good deal that I perhaps never knew, and he is such a 
ready writer, and will make any statement he has to tell so plain. * (, rand- 

mother died at the age of 89 about the year 1857. and Thomas married and went 
to California. In a short time Uncle William died and Aunt Xancy went with my 
Uncle Joseph's family to where Thomas was living, 1 think. Just after her 
mother's death she married a man by the name of Larence. 1 am under the im- 
pression he did not live long. * * Uncle Joe and wife died many years ago. 
Their daughter lived with Aunt Xancy. I never saw Aunt nor Grandmother. There 
1 have written all this and not told you that I have heard our grandparents were 
horn in Scotland of Irish parents and came to Pa. from Ireland. * * My 
cousin, Hannah's husband, used to call her Irish. She would remark, "1 am Scotch- 
Irish protestant, and I glory in that I am." She was very bright and could always 
bold her own. a fluent talker and very earnest in her convictions, no half way 
about her. 1 can hear her say, "I am wdiat I am — no halfway for a Gourley." 
Thomas, her brother, is a good talker and writer. I hope he will remember enough 
he has heard of grandmother. Aunt Xancy and Uncle William talk to have some- 
thing to tell you. The brother, Harrison W. Gourley, in Xew York, married into 
one of the families in the state — the Sutherlands. Sister Ella tells II. he has no 
great grandfather. He always says he means to found his own family. 
I am with much interest. Yours sincerely, 

Martha Gourley Gehlmax. 

C. C. LOUXSBERRY. 

Marsh ai. i. town, Iowa, Nov. 9th, 1S95. 
Mrs. Martha Gourley Gehlmax, 

Springfield, 111. 

My Dear Friend: I was greatly pleased to gel your kind letter of Oct. 31st, and 
T thank you most cordially for same. 

My great grandfather was Samuel Gourley. It is handed down that he was 
born at "Mull of Glass, Scotland." but afterwards moved to Banbridge, County 
I 'own, Ireland, and there married my great grandmother whose maiden name was 
Margaret Dunn. They had seven children, to-wit, Thomas, Ann. Mary. Elizabeth, 
John, Samuel and William, started for America, which cost in those days hft\ 
guineas each, that is $250 each, but a plague of scurvy and smallpox broke out 
on the closely crowded ship and five out of the nine hundred on the ship board 
died and were buried at ocean and among them great grandfather's two sons, Samuel 
and William. They were eleven weeks crossing the ocean. Those' left, settled 
near Zanesville, Ohio. My grandfather James Gourley was born after they came 
to this country. They came in 1801. Thomas Gourley married three times and 
had a large family of children hut most of them are now dead Mosl of those 
living are now in Ohio. Ann married a Mr. Walker. Elizabeth married a Mr. 
Xixon. Mary married a James Gibson, and there are a number of their children 
at Mt. Vernon, our state, among them John Gibson. John had hut one son and 
we have not heard from him for many years. Grandfather had the following 

children. Sarah Agnes (mother), Anna Rebecka, James Artemus, Thomas \\* 1 

ruff, Edwin Rufus, and Samuel Birch Gourley. Aunt Anna and "Wood" live 
in Denver. Colo. Uncle Jim is now living at Shenandoah. Iowa, and the others at 
Denver. I shall write to your cousin Thomas G. to see if lie can go farther back. 

Marshalltown, Iowa. Feb. 9th. 18 
Mrs. Martha < mm. max. 

I quote the folh, win- from the letter of James Gourley, Detroit Mich.: "While 
I don't know much about our immediate ancestors, I know that the progenito 

•>:i 



the Gourley family in Scotland came from Normandy in the year 1174 along with 
William the Lion, King of Scotland (who was brother to Malcolm the 4th. arid 
grandson of David the 1st), with other Norman barons. William ascended the 
thrown in 1165, and reigned until 1214. Previous to 1174, while engaged in war 
with England he went there under a flag of truce and was treacherously captured 
and sent to Normandy a prisoner and had to remain there two or three years until 
released, as I said in 1174 when he returned to Scotland with a number of barons, 
among the number [ngleram de Gourley, the progenitors of the Gourleys of Great 
Britain. As the family increased the} spread over the shires of Scotland, and 
Ireland, and later from there to America." 

M> mother doe- not resemble the Gourleys as much as -he doe- her mother's 
family, the Mayhews. I was going to -end you one of grandfather's photographs 
but have not succeeded in getting one yet. Grandfather had blue eye-, and "bay" 
hair as he used to call it— that i-. a light brown, but my mother says that quite a 
number of hi- brothers had very black curly hair, and blue eyes such as you 
-peak of. and one of mother's brothers, Samuel Birch Gourley has the same com- 
bination, except his hair i- not curly. I will -end you a cut of him in a few days. 
Grandfather Gourley was about five feet ten tall, and when 1 first knew him very 
fleshy and muscular. 



.\l.\k.-ii ai.i.tow x. Iowa, April 5th. 1896. 

My Dear Mr-. Gehlman : Your kind letter of March 25th was duly received and 
content- carefully noted, and I thank you for same. In the same mail with your 
letter came a letter from Albert I". Gurley of Willimantic, Conn., who is aboul 
to publish a genealogy of the Gurley family. Following i- a copy of hi- letter: 

Willimaxtic, Conn.. March 23rd, 1896. 



Mr. ('. C. 1 .0UNSB1 KRV. 
Mar-halltown, Iowa. 

Yours of March 3rd. 1896, i- before me. and contents noted and placed your 
name on li-i of subscribers. My work will get into print some time between Nov. 
1-t. 1896 and Jan. 1st, 1897. I commence my final summing up about July 1-t. next 
and am in hopes to gel my work ready for print by Oct. 1-t. if possible. 

My work will give the history of the Gourleys which in 1066 was Thomas de 
Gourlay, hut is now spelt Gourley, Gourlay, Gurley, and Girly. This last Girly 
'lor- not appear in this country. Your mother's first ancestor (the same as my 
ancestor), was Thomas de Gourlay. lie accompanied William the Conqueror when 
he went from Normandy, France into England, and afterward- one settled in 
Ireland, and today we are represented in England, Scotland, Ireland and America 
.i- m\ history and record- will describe more fully when I get them into print. 

I enclose a sample of my family record and photograph, as it will appear in the 
book when printed. 'The photograph add- much to make a family record com- 
plete. Sincerely. 

A, E ' loURI KV. 



Yoit -peak about the name- of your father's family and your own. You gav< 
me the name- of your father'- family hut not of your own. I have written to Mr. 
A K l lourley offering to aid him all I can and 1 have -cut him copies of your 
first letter and that of your cousin, Thomas Gourley, and copies of some other 
letter-. I think it would he well for you to gel together as much a- posishle a full 
family record of your line, including dates of births, marriage and death as to 
all of your line a- much as you can and let me know if 1 can he of any aid by 
corresponding with members of your family living at a distance, for these date-. 

We certainly think all the (lourley- are related and it would seem that they 
need not go hack more than seven or eight hundred years at furthere-t for any 
one family to find a common ancestor with all the other,-. I thank you for enclos- 
ing card of Jno. K. (lourley. of Terre Haute. Ind., and have taken the address and 
shall write him and herewith return you the card, as your brother may wish to 
keep it. or you may. I beg to thank you most sincerely for your verj kind invita- 

-'1 



tion to come and sec you, and may sonic day take advantage of it, but my regular 
employment keeps me here all the time and I don't seem to he able to get away 
from town. Mother desires me to say she read your letter and sends her regards. 

Sincerely yours, 

C. C. LbUNSBERRY. 



JAS. GOURLAY. A. L. GOURLAY. 

SHIRT MAKERS AND IMPORTERS OE MEN'S FURNISHING GOODS. 

99 Woodward Avenue. 

Detroit, Mich., Nov. 13th, 1895. 
Mr. C. C. LounsberrYj 

Dear Sir: Yours of the 12th October was received and I am sorry to say that 
I am situated much in the same way as yourself with respect to my forefathers. 
My mother was father's second wife. He died when I was only ten years old, 
so that I never knew much about his relatives. My father's name was Robert. 
His first wife's name was Cameron. There was three children by the first wife, 
William (famous Scotch comedian), Thomas, and Sarah. Thomas died in Brook- 
lyn, the other two in Scotland. The second family consisted of eight: Robert, John, 
Margaret. David, George, Lily, James and Alfred — all. including the first family, 
born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Robert and John, as well as father died in the old 
country. My mother whose maiden name was Lawson and the rest of the family 
came to New York in 1856 and lived there till 1870 when 1 came here with my 
wife, whose maiden name was Jean Fair Craig. The other members of the family 
came here within three or four years after, except my sister Lily who died in 
New York and was buried in Greenwood. Her husband's name was Welwood 
Murray. He went to California. 

While I do not know much about our immediate ancestors, I do know that the 
progenitor of the Gourlay family in Scotland came from Normandie in the year 
1174, with William the Lion, King of Scotland (who was brother to Malcolm the 
4th and grandson of David the 1st), along with other Norman barons. William 
ascended the throne in 1165, reigned till 1214. Previous to 1174 while engaged in 
war with England he went there under a flag of truce and was treacherously 
captured and sent to Normandie a prisoner and had to remain there two or three 
years till released, as I said in 1174 when he returned to Scotland, accompanied by 
a number of barons. Among them Ingleram de Gourlay, the progenitor of the 
Gourlays of Great Britain. As the family increased they spread over the shires of 
Scotland, England and Ireland, and later from there to America. 

In 1787 Col. Philip Van Cortlandt, of America, married Catharine, daughter 
of William Gourlay, of Kincaird, Fifeshire, who was one of the family whose 
line is distinctly traced back to the original member by deeds and conveyances in 
the records of Fife and is the line to which I believe our family belongs, because 
while we were born in Edinburgh my father and mother were both born in Fife- 
shire — mother being related to the Gourlay family before her marriage to father. 
There was only one of the name here when I came to Detroit, in 1870. Now there 
are several families. There are Gourlays in Albany, Troy, Mew York, Brooklyn, 
St. Paul and in Canada, but as you say they are not numerous and I am very 
much inclined to be clannish and am very much interested, and I am going to send 
for a book which I understand is being published giving an account of the old 
Scotch families including the house of Gourlay. 

The name is spelled in various ways as De Gourlay, De Gourle, De Gurla. 
Gourlay, Gourlag, Gurlie, Gurli. etc., but they are all the same family. The upper- 
half of our trade mark is the family coat of amis. Am sorry that I cannot give 
you more of the information which you desire but such as I have, 1 gladly g 
you. With respect, I am. Sincerely yours. 

James Gourlay. 

My brother George is a great enthusiast. He wants to know what you think 
of getting up a family reunion or something of that sort. . 

25 






ARTHUR GOURLEY. 

Chicago. Oct. 14, 1895. 
C. C. LoUNSBERRY, Esq., Marshalltown, Iowa. 

Dear Sir: Yours of the 12th to hand and I am glad to answer your questions 
as far as I can. 1 was horn in Ireland. Tyrone County, and worked on a farm 
near a little town called Cook-town. Ireland, was married there and came to Chi- 
cago direct in 1871. My wife's maiden name was McKinney. Was married in 
Ireland, my father'- family and wife's family being neighbors. We have only 
one child living, she is married to Mr. J. L. Campbell, secretary of the above com- 
pany. I have three brothers living. < >ne in Oregon, one in Chicago, and one -till 
on the old homestead in Ireland. My father'- name was Arthur and he had two 
brother-. One of them was named George and I cannot remember much about him. 
The other'.- name was Adam and he came to Philadelphia about 40 year- ago, 
had a large family but have only seen two of them since I came here. My grand- 
father'- name was Arthur. He had a brother that came to the state- a long time 

Mid left quite a legacy to the heirs. My father was born in 1796. My mother's 
name was McKinney. My wife'- name and mother'- i- the same name but no 
relation. My mother'- name wa- Eliza. She i- dead 3? year — died at the age of 
56. My father was 84 when he died. It i- hard for me to tell the ages of great 
grandfather and grandfather. Mj age is 53. When I came to Chicago I started 
to work in a lumber yard and worked my way up through all the departments 
except bookkeeper, of the largest yard in Chicago — S. EC. Martin Lumber Co. I 
wa- with this firm 19 years, was the manager for -ante nearly 15 years, was a 
partner and vice-president five year-. We have been in business under this name 
5 year-. We -ell over 35 million- per year and our business is still growing. 

Now if there are any other questions about the family would be pleased to 
answer them. As far I can remember this generation are all Presbyterians and 
was the -ante for four or live generations before this. There was also a family 
by the name of William Gourley and one by the name of Jno. Gourley that lived 
in Cook-town. Ireland, but T have lost track of them. 

Respectfully, 

Arthur Gourley. 

Mote. — Two nephews of Arthur Gourley, the writer of above letter, named 
d riiomas, reside at Waukegan, 111., and are engaged in the lumber bu.-r 

THOMAS GOURLEY. 

Mr-. Lillian Gray Howard, of Chariton. Iowa, furnishes the following informa- 
tion relating to one of the Thomas Gourley families 

Mr. ( '.. T. I [eydecker, 

r Sir: In reply to your- of the 31st ultimo, will say my knowledge of the 
Gourley fa'milj i- very limited: but most gladly will assist you that much. 

I do not know if yon desire the family carried down a- far as I have in the 
losed sheet, but you can do a- yon wish. 
In all cases of marriages 1 am not acquainted with names, but can find out 
some of them; also children's name-, viz.: Reuben Guy's children: John T. Sutphin's 
wife; William Gourley's family. Also Perry and T. Pressley Gaither's families. 

I wrote to Chester, S. C, a few years ago, and learned of James Gourley. 
Olive, Yorl< Co., S. ('. 1 wrote but received no answer. 

Al-o in tracing the Wylies (my maternal grandmother being a Wylie), 1 wrote 
th( Rev. David G. Wylie, and learned that hi- maternal grandmother wa- a Gour- 
ley: hence hi- middle name is Gourley. Hi- address wa-. 161 West 93rd Street. 
New York. 

With sincere wishes tor your success in this, I am. 

Your- very truly. 

Lillian Gray Howard. 

The Mr. Gourley first mentioned lived in North Carolina, but removed to 
South Carolina, lli- -on- then went to Indiana. Thomas, who had married in 
South Carolina i my grandfather), moved to Monroe Co.. near Bloomington; and 
Joseph and William to Gibson Co.. near Princeton. 

Robert Gourley. nephew of above mentioned Mr. Gourley, and con-in of my 

26 



grandfather, lived in Rloomington. Ind. My mother thinks his wife's name was 
McKissick. He had two sons, one, Hamilton, died unmarried. The oilier, William, 
married Margaret Harbison. One daughter, Sarah, married Joseph Frost; the other, 
Rachel, was married but do not know to whom. 

Thomas Gourley, brother of the above named Robert, went from Monroe Co., 
Ind., to Princeton, Ind. We know nothing of his family. During the Civil War 
he was called "Abolition" Tom. 

In writing of my grandfather, Thomas Gourley, I omitted such dates as I 
knew. He was born in Chester District, T think, in South Carolina, in 1814; was 
married there to Margaret Wylie, about 1833, and died in Logan Co.. 111., in 1881. 

These dates may be of no use to you unless in the placing of those of the 
same name, and there seems a number of such. 

There may be mistakes in what I have written, as we have no records, but 
my mother is sure about most of the names. I will write immediately to an aunt, 
older than my mother, who may remember their grandfather's name. If I can 
be of an} - service to you again, please do not hesitate to write me. 

Thomas Gourley married a Miss Wilson. 

(1). Robert. 

(2). Thomas married Margaret Wylie. 

1. Mary E. married John K. Gaither. 

1. Perry. 

2. T. Pressley. 

3. Frank. 

4. Tobe. 

5. Jay. 

2. Nancy. 

3. Lillie A. married Samuel Guy. 

1. Annie. 

2. Reuben married Mary Beck. 

3. Samuel M. married Hester Ewing. 

1. Earl. 

2. William. 

Lillie V Gourley also married John Sutphin. 

1. William. 

2. Alvia. 

3. Margaret A. 

4. John T. 

5. Montague. 

6. Lillie L., married P>. M. Seal. 

1. Alberta B. 

4. Margaret R., married Andrew D. Gray. 

1. Minnie L., married Chas. R. Kirk. 

2. Lilian G., married Chas. E. Howard. 

3. Edgar E., married Minnie Soper. 

1. Margaret Annis. 
Wright. 

5. Sarah L. 

Thomas Gourley again married Elizabeth Daniels. 

1. Martha J. 

2. John P. 

3. Agnes. 

4. Sarah A. 

5. William. 

(3). Joseph (married twice, but do not know either name). 

1. Martha, married Thomas Bugg. 

2. Mary, married Cyrus Martin. 

3. Louisa. 

4. Margaret. 

5. Thomas. 

Second marriage. 
1. Susan. 

27 



,4 1. William, married Margaret. 
1. John. 
2 Thomas. 

3. • 

4. William. 

(5). Hugh. 



(6). Nancy, married Mr. Hindman (?) of Alabama. 

S Wll'I'.L B. GOURLEY. . . 

The following account of Samuel Gourley's family has been furnuhed by 

Gourley's ancestor's name can be given. 

This is my conclusion after careful investigation. ^ i- n- 

Samuel Gourley was born at Mull of Glass, Scotland, about 1755. 

Lady Ma?gaS Dunn was born at Bainbridge, County Down, Ireland. 

ab ° U SamSi Gourley and Lady Margaret Dunn were married 1 at Bainbridge, 

"'^"urie'fson of Samue! Lady Marg as born a, St. 

Clli I n i!!f„e B MXw C was°tAlri. 1 aa 1 S 4 vine, Ohio .Aug . 13. 181/. 

]:,',',"!" Gourky and Emeline Mayhew were married ,„ the.r native place, 

^Vherfwere born ... then, at Morristovn, Belmont County, Ohio, six 

CWld John William, [uly 31, IS*: Sarah Agnes, Dee. ! i 1850; Anna Rebecca 
Feb 4 1852; fames Arlemus. March 22, 1853; Thomas Woodruff, Nov. 8, 1854, 

^l^hfyear^lVey^ ed to Marshai.town Marshal. County, I„ 

where : ther son namedSamnel Birch, was born Feb. 24 1859, and whe,< 

Ohi, M arch 14. ie§4. He and Sarah Agnes Gourley, daughter of James and 
, .,„ Claude, Aug. 30 1872; Harold Claire .June M 1874 At Alb on Mar 

\\ i mm, May IS, 180.J. Lva Anna, junc - • ' ... , •, -, , .0Q3 

Vance Earl Vug 24 1890; Forresl Norman, Jan. IS. ls ( >4. died April __. uo. 

,.;,, 1 Hen Mian, were married at Cedar Rapids, rowa, Sept. -"• > M ' 
" et Cecillsnam Lounsberry, son of ^Cecil and Harriet was born Sept. 9, 1900 
Leon I laude born Jan 18, 1903, and died Jan, 8, 904 

'^or^e^^^^^^ 
at Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska Sept 11, 1876 

Minnie Yocum was born at Bushnel, [11.. Jan. 9, 1869 

James Vrtemus Gourley and Minnie Yocum were married at At* I, 

Kansas, July 8, 1890 



28 



Cyr. D., son of James A. and .Minnie- Gourley, was born at Denver. Colo., 
July 2H, 1891. 

Maude Mayhew was born at Newton, Jasper Count}-. Iowa, Nov. 25. 1866. 

Thomas Woodruff Gourley and .Maude Mayhew were married at Denver, 
Colo.. Nov. 14, 1894. 



Mattoon. 111.. lulv 1. 1904. 



JOSEPH GOURLEY. 

Mr. C. T. Heydecker, 

Waukegan, 111. 
Dear Sir: 

Have been informed by Mr. Gourley of Springfield. 111., that you are 
getting up a family tree of the Gourley family. 1 should like to hear from 
you and what bunch of the family you belong to. 

My father's name was James R. Gourley, his father's name was Joseph 
Gourley. James R. Gourley has a sister living in Milroy, Mrs. Sallie McNutt; 
the above are all dead except Mrs. Sallie McNutt. My grandfather came 
from Scotland. 

If you have any books out in regard to the family let me know. 

Very truly yours, 

JOHN T. R. GOURLEY. 

John Thomas Robert Gourley. the' only child of James R. Gourley and 
Mary Jane Gourley, was born at Shirley, Illinois. January 25, 1858. When 
about six months old, his mother died. On August 20, 1862, his father was 
mustered into Company I. of the 94th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers 
at Bloomington. Illinois. Then after a forced march of one hundred and 
twenty miles in three and a half days, he took part in a battle of Prairie 
Grove. Ark.. December 7, 1862. He also took part in the raid over Boston 
Mountains in Van Buren, Ark., and a portion of the company engaged in the 
repulse of Marmaduke at Springleld. Mo.. Jan. 8, 1863, and near this place 
it is supposed he took sick with fever and died. I was put in a family 
by the name of John McNitt after the death of rrry mother. 

At the age of about six years. I was taken to Lngansport. Ind.. and placed 
in the family of my uncle. Robert G. McXitt, a brother of my mother. 
After his death, another brother. C. M. McXitt. took me and raised me 
until I was twenty-one years of age. Both of the above were my guardians. 
My grandfather, w r ho came to this country from Scotland, was named 
Joseph Gourley and my grandmother, who came from Ireland, was Margaret 
McXitt. and both located on a farm near Milroy, Pa. They had two chil- 
dren. James R. Gourley, my father, and Mrs. Sallie McXitt. who is still 
living in Milroy, Pa. On March 1st. at the age of twenty-three. I bought 
one-third interest in the saddlery firm of C. M. McXitt. at Longansport. Ind., 
and remained in business with him about five } r ears, and then my health 
failing me. I was compelled to seek out-door employment. I left Logans- 
port. Sept. 1. 1887, for Terre Haute, Indiana, and traveled for Eroeb Bros., 
representing them on the road for five years in the saddlery hardware busi- 
ness. On Dec. 12, 1892. I left the above firm and went with J. O. Fleckner & 
Son. of Evansville, Ind.. and remained with them four years. Then finding 
my health much improved in the nine years 1 was on the road. I again went 
into business for myself at Mattoon. Illinois, on Dec. 18, 1896, where I am 
engaged at the present time. Aug. 15. 1905. in the manufacture of saddlery 
and harness. 

J. T. R. GOURLEY. 

GEORGE GOURLEY. 

Erostburg. Pa.. Jan. 22. 1906. 
Mr. C. T. Heydecker: 

Your letter handed to me for reply, would say we have a Gourley re- 
union here ever}' year, and tiny turn out like flies around a sugar barrel in fly 



time. If any Gourleys in your section give me their names I will send them 
invitations to our reunion for next summer. _ 

I would like to know the object of your wanting records. I live on my 
grandfather's farm, which was among the first settled, he first built a log 
cabin, some time after built a plank house in 1845, which is very good yet and 
I am living in .one. R Q GOTJRLEY . 

It is thought that George Gourley and Samuel Gourley, who came to 
Vmerica about 1784, were brothers. The location of their settlement in Penn- 
sylvania would lead to that conclusion. The following article on the Georg* 
Gourley's family record has been furnished by Miss Mary B. * rawford ot 
Smickburg, Pa. 

GOURLEY ANCESTRY. 

George Gourley was horn in 1769, in Ireland, probably in Londonderry, 
and in 1816 he came to America, and after deciding upon a desirable location 
in \'ova Scotia, he sent for his wife. Rosannah McNeal, who came bringing 
their -ix children. They then removed to Sinking Valley, Blair ( ounty, Penn- 
sylvania where Mr. Gourley worked as a blacksmith and gave evidence of 
superior skill in his chosen work. Later he purchased a large farm in In- 
diana County, where his growing boys found employment in clearing the 
Forest and tilling the soil as well as assisting their lather m the smithery. It 
was true of then, as of most early settlers— life was fraught with many hard- 
ships—luxuries were few. but devotion to duty developed noble character. 
possessing a sturdiness almost unknown to one born to ease. 

Mr Gourley was one who enjoyed having thing- about him conveniently 
and neatly arranged and did much which contributed to the comforts of his 
home- moreover he was of a practical turn of mmd, and on one occasion In- 
attention was called to a flower bed. he replied: "1 would rather -ee a good 
hill of paratus I potatoes'). 

Mr- Gourlev, in-. Rosannah McNeal, was a most remarkable woman in 
many respects. She possessed a very amiable disposition, was a faithful wife, a 
devoted mother and a friend to all who knew her. very industrious in her 
habit- which is illustrated by this: During the harvesl time -he and her 
daughters assisted in the fields and at the noon hour while the men re-' 
the girls cleared the table and set the house in order ami -he -at down to 
her spinning wheel and busied herself making preparation- for protection 
against the next winter"- cold. In after years her own enfeebled body seemed 
in be a i i nit of her life of overwork. 

This cuple being stanch Presbyterians and devoul worshippers ot (,,.(1. 
were always observant ot time for family prayer- ami on Sabbath rode on 
horseback to Perry Presbyterian church, a distance oi eighl mile- away. 

I heir children all embraced the faith of their parents. I he -on- .all b< 
Came successful farmer- and mechanic-. Three of the daughters marned 
farmers and one an expert tailor. Their children'- children numbering about 
sixty-five, excepting a few have always resided in western Pennsylvania, in the 
i irming district. A- a people they are kind hearted, given to hospitality, indus- 
trious, yet find great enjoyment in recreation. Talented in music and many ot 
them enjoy dancing, or at least a number of them participated m the amuse- 
menl at the Annual Reunion of the Gourleys, held in 1904. 

the fourth generation about one hundred and twenty five are living; 

among them are found five who have chosen the medical profession, six whose 
husbands attach the M. 1). to their signature, one professional nurse, on< 
lawyer, one the wife of a Presbyterian minister, another ol a k-\\\\ engineer, 
one of an inventor, one a minister of the go-pel. half a do/en tradesmen, one 
telegraph operator ami a number of laborer-, teacher.-, students, business men 
and farmer-. . , 1 

( ii tin iifth generation there are living approximately one hundred ami 

twenty-five, anion- whom are found teacher-, seamstresses, students and a 

number -killed in domestic science and at least three have shown a willingness 

to continue in this line, a- they have begun "housekeeping iu-t lor two. and 

i i mbers of the sixth generation were here to welcome the year 1906 

30 



George Gourley, bom 1769. died Sept. 6, 1853; Rosannah McNeal, bom 
, died Sept. 9, 1853. 

Their children: Thomas, born Oct. 28. 1805: |,,lin. born .May 19. 1808 died 
May 1891; *James, horn Aug. 23, 1810. died March 21, 1867; Margaret horn 
Jan. 24, 1812; Alexander, horn June 4, 1814; George, horn March 17. 1816, died 
Jan. 23, 1846; Rosanna, horn March 12, hX19; Armstrong, horn Sept 15 'l820" 
Robert, horn May 27. 1822; Nancy, born Nov. 2.^. 1823; 'Mary Ann. born Sept! 
18, 1826. 

'*James Gourley. born Aug. 23. 1810, died March 21. 1867; Margaret Youns* 
Travis, horn Dec. 7. 1818, died Jan. 1. 1889. 

Their children: Lousia Barrett, born Feb. 16, 1837. died Sept 23 1857- 
J) a 7i os ;" in;i11 ' born Jan. 27, 1841; Margaret Ann, horn May 5, 1843; died Aug! 
25. 1882; Joseph Travis, horn July 7. 1845: John McNeal, horn Utg S 1847- 
William Simms, born Nov. 5, 1850, died Sept. 18. 1853. 

JOHX M. GOURLEY. 

John M. Gourley, a descendant of Geo. Gourrey, was horn in Indiana Co., 
Pa., 1847. He had one sister. Mary Crawford, and one brother. Joseph Gourley' 
both of whom are living. John M. Gourley moved from Indiana Co. Pa to 
Paxton, 111., in 1870. He was married in 1873 to Mary Lantz, and to them 
seven children were horn— William G.. Frederick L., James, Mary, Margaret 
Joseph and Blanche. All are living except Blanche, who died in her infancy." 
They still reside on a farm near Paxton. 111. 

Wm. G. was married in 1898 to Edith Parker; to them three children. 
Leonard. Orin and Cecil, were horn. Frederick L. was married to Margaret 
Maclnnis, 1904, and now is a physician in Waukegan. 111. Joseph Gourley, 
brother of John M.. was married to Jennie Doak. 1871. to them three children' 
were born. May. Emma and Preston. Preston died in infancy. May died at the 
age of twenty-six years, Emma is still living, married to Weightmaii Smith, and 
lives with her father in Evans, Colo. 

Thomas Gourley was second lieutenant. 2nd Battalion, Pennsylvania Rifle- 
and was promoted to captain. Address not known. This information was 
found in a war history of Pennsylvania. 

Account of Gourley Reunion as published in the Punxsutawnev (Pa ) 
Spirit, of August 13, 1908: 

GOURLEY FAMILY HOLDS ITS SIXTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION. 

AUGUST 12. 1908. 



150 Friends and Relatives Attended— Doctors Galore— Baseball Game was the 

Big Feature of the Day. 

The happy, well-fed, baseball-loving Gourleys, to the number of 150. in- 
cluding many friends, yesterday congregated at Jefferson Park and -pent the 
day, the occasion being the sixth annual reunion of the family. 

It was high noon before the enrollment was complete, but the clans were 
not long in distributing themselves at the various tables. There were prac- 
tically four banquet> going on. all at the same time, but the Gourley women, 
who are famous throughout this section as culinary artist-;, were equal to the 
occasion. They not only had enough on hand to supply the reunionists for 
dinner, but they had an abundance left over for supper and at least three- 
fourths of those present remained for the evening event. Mow many courses 
the menu card contained nobody stopped to figure out, but there was a-plenty. 

The Gourley family includes a large sprinkling of M. D.'s and hence they 
take great liberties with capacity. Yesterday there were included in the hunch 
seven physicians, namely: Harry and Ru-sell C. Gourley. W. !•'. and Meig> 
Beyer, John A. and Clark Newcome and Dr. S. S. Hamilton, and there are 
several M. D.'s in the connection who were unable to be present. 

The elders of the reuning family were all present, including Tames A. 
Gourley. of Big Run: Crawford and John A. Gourley and Mrs. Jacob Gruhe. 
of Punxsutawney. 

31 



Relatives from a distance present were: Mr. and Mrs. A. C. McClung, 
of Mason, <> : Dr. and Mr-. John Newcome and family, of Sigel, and Mr-. 
J)r. W. II. Gilmore, of Mt. Vernon, II!. 

Guests from out of town were Rev. and Mrs. Coulter, of Big Run. and 
Rev. A. C. Powell, of Marion Center. 

Aside from the noon and evening banquets the annual ball game was the 
feature. 

Lex X. Mitchell and Syl Gourley were -elected to pick up sides; Mitchell 
won tin toss for first bats, but Gourley won the game, 22 to 18. 

The team- lined up as follow-: 

Dr. ('lark Newcome. p : Meigg- P>eyer. c: Jacob Grube, -: Dr. Russell 
Gourley, 1st; Daniel Gourley, 2nd; Dr. Harry Gourley, 3rd: Syl Gourley, r; 
Aubrey McHenry, m; Charles Veil, 1: Walter Veil, sub catcher; -core _'_'. 

Lex Mitchell's team — Dr. John Newcome, p; Lewi- Grube, c; Mitchell. 1st; 
George Gourley, 2nd: Dr. W. F. Beyer, 3rd; A. C. McClung, r; David Gourley, 
m; J. J. Hamilton, s; James Gourley, 1; -core IS. 

Umpire — Tyson; official scorer — Dr. S. S. Hamilton. 

The game began immediately after dinner and was concluded some time 
before midnight. The number of innings played is very much in doubt. The 
official scorer's data was kept on wooden pie plate-, one plate for each in- 
ning and a- some of them were used to pass pies around during the intervals 
between inning-, they were taken into the system, inadvertently. 

There were no stomach pumps in the crowd and hence the rcords will 
probably be lost. It was generally conceded that the game went somewhere 
between 50 and 60 innings. 

Until a couple more pages are added to the paper it will be impossible 
to print the tabulated score in a single issue. 

Features of the game, besides the battery work, were Syl Gourley's 
even dozen home run-, the base stealing stunts pulled oft by Dr. \V. F. Beyer, 
Dave Gourley's long -print and capture of a foul toff the table). 

Crawford Gourley and Adam Miller won the honor- at quoits, their prizes 
being a bunch of lemons and a good luck trophy in the shape of a mule shoe. 



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